The most astonishing new jazz musician we have seen in years
The Washington Times
Saturday May 13, 2000
The Kennedy Center’s fifth annual Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival got off to a rousing start Thursday night in the intimate Terrace Theater.
Australian bass Nicki Parrott was easily the most astonishing new jazz musician we have seen in years. Given several major opportunities to shine, she coaxed a wide range of tones, from silken to sassy, out of her huge acoustic instrument, passionately enveloping it in a way that conjured up images of the late, lamented classical cellist Jacqueline du Pré. The thirtysomething Miss Parrott is a world-class artist on an instrument that often plays second fiddle in jazz ensembles, and Miss Maricle was right to give her plenty of solo turns.